Summer for the Gods
Edward J. Larson
A book-length account for readers who want more detail.
1925 · Dayton, Tennessee
John Scopes & the evolution trial
Science, education & exploration
Teacher John Scopes was prosecuted under Tennessee’s prohibition on teaching human evolution in public schools. Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan helped turn the trial into a national media event. The later play and film Inherit the Wind fictionalize it; Summer for the Gods distinguishes history from that retelling.
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The Story
When1925
WhereDayton, Tennessee
In this collection3 resources
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Inherit the Wind (1960)
Film / television guide
A dramatized interpretation; compare it with the reporting.
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Blogs & Essays
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Blogs & essays
1 itemsAbout these sources
Outside essays and reading guides reflect their authors’ perspectives. Compare claims with reported and primary sources.
Historical source
Separating the Scopes trial from its fictional retelling
The historian’s university describes the book’s treatment of the trial and its later cultural legacy.
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Books
CONTINUE YOUR READING
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Books
1 itemsEdward J. Larson
Summer for the Gods
A nonfiction study of the trial, published decades after the film. A factual companion rather than the source of the screenplay.
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Movies & TV
Movies
1 itemsAbout these sources
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Film / television guide
Inherit the Wind (1960)
A fictionalized adaptation of a play inspired by the trial, with changed names and events. The American Film Institute provides film context, not a stream.
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TV & documentaries
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Audiobooks
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Audiobook
Summer for the Gods
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Edition checked 2026-10-12
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Fiction Work
Fiction Work
Browse all →Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
Film / television guide
Inherit the Wind (1960)
A fictionalized adaptation of a play inspired by the trial, with changed names and events. The American Film Institute provides film context, not a stream.
Fiction / DramatizationAccess Varies · Check Source
Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)
Search Amazon · paid linkViewing options & film details
Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.
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Podcasts
Podcasts
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Social Media
BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
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News & Reading
More Reading & Audio
3 sourcesExplore book records, previews, library audiobooks and selected documents. Access labels distinguish free material from library loans and paid subscriptions.
Smithsonian Magazine · Free Article
How Much Has the Town Where the Scopes Trial Took Place Evolved Since the 1920s?
An article providing additional historical reporting and context for this story.
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OverDrive · Library Access
Summer for the Gods — Ebook
Edward J. Larson. Related reading for John Scopes & the evolution trial. Check participating libraries for this edition. Borrowing requires an eligible library card; availability and waits vary.
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Google Books · Catalog / Availability
Summer for the Gods
Edward J. Larson. Related reading for John Scopes & the evolution trial. Book information and any pages made available by Google Books; this is not a promise of full-text access.
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Reading Access Notes
Search reviewed 2026-09-16. Sources searched: Google Books, Internet Archive, Open Library, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Magazine, The Atavist Magazine, Google Books (case/title search), Scribd, Everand, OverDrive and hoopla (combined title search). Search indexing is incomplete; this is not an exhaustive list of the web. Access can change by edition, country and library membership. Library loans may require sign-in or a wait. Everand titles may need a paid subscription; a trial is not permanent free access. Scribd documents are third-party uploads, with uploader details noted where checked. We link to source pages and write our own descriptions rather than reproducing copyrighted books.
A separate Texas Monthly search was blocked by the publisher’s automated-access rules and could not be verified.
News & reporting
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Newspaper clippings
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Court & Files
Court records & documents
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Documents are labeled by type and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. This collection is not the complete case file.
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Positive Outcome
Positive Outcome
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Documented laws, advocacy and reforms. Listing a change does not claim it is effective or universally supported.
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Social Media
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